Report: NBA players union begins process of ousting Billy Hunter

The NBA Players Association has begun taking steps to oust executive director Billy Hunter, including placing him on an indefinite leave of absence, according to Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports.

The moves come two weeks after an independent investigation into the NBPA’s practices and business dealings questioned whether Hunter should remain in his position.

The 500-page report, conducted by the law firm Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison, and emailed to the NBA’s players, questioned the validity of Hunter’s contract and his inclusion of family and friends among the union’s staff and vendors.

The leave of absence comes two days after Hunter proposed a series of reforms that addressed the investigation’s concerns. The reforms are scheduled to be presented for adoption at the NBPA’s annual meeting during February’s All-Star Weekend in Houston.

The NBPA executive committee has placed executive director Billy Hunter on a leave of absence, source tells Y! Sports.—
Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA) February 01, 2013

NBPA counsel Ron Klempner has been made interim executive director. NBA players were informed in a memo circulated late this morning.—
Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA) February 01, 2013

Indefinite leave of absence is first step in a process to have Billy Hunter removed on a permanent basis as exec. director, sources tell Y!—
Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA) February 01, 2013